Happy Hipiversary

Today marks exactly 6 months from my RPAO, which was July 8. My right hip is doing very well. If I had not done the LPAO I think I would have scheduled something monumental for this occasion - a five mile hike or a long bike ride was what I originally had in mind. Perhaps even cross-country skiing. Skate skiing looks like a ton of fun.

Since my left hip can't participate, I will be doing none of those things. Instead I will celebrate my right hipiversary by starting physical therapy on my left hip. This is fine with me -- I will save the hike/bike ride (not skiing since it will be mid-May) to celebrate my left hipiversary. Perry and I and my parents are also planning an Alaska cruise to celebrate our fifth anniversary and my parents' 50th anniversary. This will be in July, so can also be used to celebrate the right hip's one-year hipiversary. Lots to celebrate. By then I think both PAOs will be doing quite well.

Since about 4 weeks post LPAO I have been lifting weights in the gym with my arms and right leg. Other than hip flexors, my right leg is coming along well in the weight room. I am not nearly as strong as I once was, but strength and range of motion are both improving.

I just read the LPAO surgical report and discovered that in addition to severe dysplasia I had mild cam acetabular impingement on the left (but not on the right), which was corrected during the surgery. I had no idea, but this is not surprising, and would explain why the left hip was always weaker than the right. However, it was also more flexible, which is a bit odd with impingement. In any case, I am still having more pain on the left than the right but it's mostly my buttock/hamstring. This leg is also weaker and has less ROM than my right did at this point in my recovery. I'm not very concerned at this point - I think it will heal at its own pace and may take longer but eventually it will be fine.

I have been walking with crutches for long distances but have dropped the crutches in the house and for short distances at work. I am doing the dysplasia waddle/lurch, but I can waddle pretty fast. My walking has improved even since Tuesday. I will let y'all know how the PT goes today.

Adventures on One Crutch ...

Just a short note to say that I walked across the street from work using just one crutch this morning to get a cup of coffee, which I carried back to the office myself. And I even used the escalator! Ah, the little things in life we sometimes take for granted!

As I was waiting for my beverage I realized that my Tango Original Dance music, which Tim and I used for competition in 2007, was playing over the speakers in the coffee shop. It's a pretty esoteric piece of music (it took us a really long time to find it) so it's not something you hear every day.

Coincidence? A sign from God that I will be able to compete again some day? You be the judge.

Seven Weeks

The new hardware

Today I went back to Dr. Mayo for my first post-op appointment. My parents accompanied me because even though I can drive, it is a long way and they had nothing else to do today. We stopped for a latte on the way up and had lunch after the appointment at The Hub in Tacoma. I had to take this photo at The Hub (note signage behind me):



"No exceptions!"

THE GOOD NEWS:
Everything looks OK. I've been cleared to start weight bearing (on crutches - first 2 crutches, then 1) and go to physical therapy. Of course I tried walking with no crutches at all; just a few steps to see if I could. Yes, I can, but just like last time it's all very weak and the muscles need time to build back up.

THE BAD NEWS:
Before seeing the x-rays today I thought I had 14 screws, but it turns out that I have THIRTEEN (13!) screws. It's a good thing I am not superstitious. Thirteen screws in my pelvis for the rest of my life could be unlucky. However, I am hoping that my luck has turned around and that 13 is just a number. I guess it might just be my lucky number now.



Thirteen, count 'em, THIRTEEN!!

OTHER NEWS:
I went back to work full-time yesterday and will be back in the office again tomorrow. I feel pretty good after sitting in a chair all day yesterday and the 5-hour car ride today.

I ran into fellow PAO patient and blogger Matt and his wife. Last time I saw them I was there for my pre-op appointments; at the time I was walking with a slight limp and he was 8 weeks post-op and on crutches. This time I was 7 weeks post-op and on crutches and he was walking with just a slight limp. It's good to see the progress we and our fellow hippies make. As long as the general direction is forward, it's all good.

Thoughts as 2009 comes to a close

For me, 2009 has been "the year of the hips." I am happy to see it go, because I am confident that 2010 will be a more mobile - and productive - year for me. However, 2009 has not been a total waste of time.

What I've learned:
~How to do the one-footed twist walk in order to carry things a short distance without bearing weight on my operated leg or using crutches.
~Resourcefulness (see above)
~Patience
~Just because you have crutches or a cane, don't think that people are going to move out of your way, open doors for you, or not run you over.
~However, some people are very helpful.

What I've lost:
~Most of my flexibility
~A lot of leg strength
~Any muscle tone I ever had in my legs
~Several thousand dollars in co-pays/deductibles
~I am no longer a "hospital virgin"
~I am not allowed to run, jump, or do "impact sports" for the rest of my life.
~I am not allowed to do stairmaster, lunges or squats for the rest of my life.

What I've gained:
~Two groovy new hip sockets. My hips are not and will never be normal, because the hip sockets are manufactured from my pelvis and not God-given, but they are "normal-er" than they were before.
~Two 7" scars
~14 stainless steel screws in my pelvis
~The ability to walk without pain (don't have this ability yet, but once I am off crutches and rehabbed, I hope this is the case).
~A new appreciation for those who are Disabled.
~Bunches of new friends from the Hipwomen group who have gone through this same dysplastic journey.
~Bulging arm muscles from more than 4 months spent on crutches.
~A closet full of mobility and other aids (walker, crutches, grabber, toilet seat riser, shower chair, bedside commode). I hope not to use these again until I need my hips replaced which will be, if all goes well, at least 10 years hence.

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Happy new year everyone.

Six Weeks

Snowy Day ...



Spent by the fire ...



I am counting the hours until I return to Dr. Mayo a week from today for my first follow-up appointment. I must get off these crutches! I had a couple of weeks of interesting pain, in particular at night, which seemed to be related to either hamstring or abductor weakness. The pain is still there when I move around at night, but much improved. Everything else is feeling good and normal and I am more than ready to start walking again.

I am still more tired than normal, but capable of getting through the day without a nap. Sitting in an office chair all day is difficult, but I am returning to work full-time on Monday. It has been difficult to be home longer this time, but I didn't feel ready to go in to the office until now. Being home and seeing so many projects which need to be done, but being unable to tackle them because I am on crutches and can't lift or carry anything, has been frustrating.

Not much more to report until Tuesday.

Five Weeks/Happy Holidays

There are only a few weeks per year that you can wear a sweater like this with a straight face ... as you can see, the butt bone is still firmly connected to the recliner.

Out and about ...

At 4 weeks and a few days I went out to Perry's company holiday party, wearing (small) heels.

I got away with the heels because I only had to walk from the car to the restaurant and up a few stairs to the table. It can be done on crutches.